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It started when Portugese explorers landed, and named the mountians Sierra Lyoa (Lion Mountains). Which is due to their shape.
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European trapers and traders stop frequently on the Sierra Leone Peninsula.
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The first slaves in North America are brought from Sierra Leone to the Sea Islands.
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Slave trading thrives between Sierra Leone and the plantations of South Carolina and Georgia.
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British abolishonists help four hundred freed slaves from the U.S., Nova Scotia, and Britain return to Africa to settle in what they refer to as the "Province of Freedom."
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More groups of freed slaves join the "Province of Freedom," and it soon becomes known as Freetown.
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Freetown becomes one of Britian's first colonies in West Africa.
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Freed slaves from Jamacia arrive in Freetown.
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The British government uses Freetown as its naval base for patrols.
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Freetown serves as the residence of the British governor.
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Britain imposes a hut tax in Sierra Leone. The for the huts being taxed is for the privelige to be ruled by the British government.
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A constitution is achieved by the British government to give more power to the occupants.
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Sierra Leone becomes independant and the country elected for a parliamentary system within the Commonwealth of Nations. Their prme minister is Sir Milton.
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Sir Milton dies and his half brother Sir Albert becomes the new ruler.
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There is a return in civilian rule, and Siaka Stevens at last assums office as prime minister. Later a state of emergency was declared because tranquility was not fully restored.
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The government survives another unsuccessful military coup. A republican constitution is adopted.
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Another failed military coup is launched.
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The constitution is amended and all political parties other than APC, are banned. Sierra Leone now becomes a one-party state.
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Siaka Stevens retires and appoints Major General Joseph Saidu. His rule is marked by increasing abuses of power.
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A small band of men who are known as RUF begin to attack villages in eastern Sierra Leone. Their goal is just to rid the country of the APC.
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The RUF holds alot of countryside and are close to freedom. But private merenaries are sent to control this issue.
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The RUF tries to overthrow the government once again. Fighting reaches Freetwon wounding and killing thousands.
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The Lome Peace Accord is singed which grants the rebels seats in the government.
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The rebels cause more violence and are remember mostly when they held many UNAMSIL personel hostage. In which they take their possessions and some people demonstrating against RUF.
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Things are getting so bad that British troops are sent in to try to alleviate the situation by evacuating foreing nationals.
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A second Abuja Peace Agreement is signed which brings a signifigant decrease in hostiles. The government also starts to regain their power.
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The presidents affirms that the civil war is oficially over.
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The president and his party win by a landslide and is reelected for a 5 year term.
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British troops leave Sierra Leone but leave some troops behind to train the Sierra Leone army.
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The UNAMSIL begins to see a decrease in personal.
